A nine-year-old Desi American chef has brought a taste of India to the White House!

Shreya Patel from Illinois, Chicago, enjoyed a VIP reception at the White House on July 10, 2015 after winning the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge in her local competition.

She won over the hearts of the Obamas with an original recipe for ‘Garam Masala Quinoa Burger with Raita’ and was invited to attend the fourth annual Kids’ ‘State Dinner’.

Together with 54 other young talented cooks from across America, Shreya shared a fun-filled lunch with the First Lady, Michelle Obama, where a selection of winning recipes were served.

The big moment came for Shreya – the only Desi at the long table – when President Barack Obama crashed the party with a surprise appearance.

Though he could not stay for lunch, the President took time to meet and shake hands with his young guests. He even revealed broccoli is his favourite vegetable and asked everyone to save him a few bites!

He said: “I particularly am impressed with the Barack-amole. So I’m expecting people to save me a little sampling of the Barack-amole.”

Shreya is a first generation Desi American. She explained Desi food has always been a big part of her life and how she enjoys being in the kitchen, saying:

“I have watched my mom and grandma make all sorts of delicious food in the kitchen with an Indian twist since I was born.”

She added: “I have been helping them cook since I was three. I love to mix, measure, chop, and even clean up afterwards.”

The budding chef also gave credit to her grandmother who helped her with the winning recipe – among 1,000 submitted entries.

Shreya said: “My grandma and I came up with this recipe together because we both love sandwiches. We make this recipe often to take to school for lunch or even on picnics with friends.”

To complete her White House experience, Shreya and other winners were treated to a special performance by the Broadway cast of the Disney musical Aladdin after dessert.

Their final stop was the the White House Kitchen Garden and Beehive on the South Lawn, where the top chefs at the Presidential Residence harvest organic ingredients to serve the Kids ‘State Dinner’.

Scarlett is an avid writer and pianist. Originally from Hong Kong, egg tart is her cure for homesickness. She loves music and film, enjoys travelling and watching sports. Her motto is “Take a leap, chase your dream, eat more cream.”